Analytical Session
John C Morgan, Mettler Toledo, Bedford, MA USA
Co-author(s): Brian Vaillancourt, Mettler Toledo, Bedford, MA, USA; Stefan Bardeck, Mettler Toledo, Urdorf, Switzerland
ABSTRACT: Implementing proper in-line measurement of DO, CO2,
pH, haze, and conductivity methodologies at specific points in the
brewing and packaging process creates opportunities to save money,
improve product quality, reduce maintenance time and cost, and improve
safety. For example, measuring conductivity in the filling tank and
lines has been demonstrated to be an effective method for determining
when the water used to clean and rinse the tanks and pipes has been
drained away. This measurement technique replaces manual processes that
rely either on visual inspection of the flow through a sight glass or
simple timing to ensure the water has been flushed away. Being able to
detect the true phase separation between water and beer saves labor time
and minimizes product waste. Product quality can be enhanced in several
ways, such as measuring pH during mashing and wort boiling to maximize
yield and consistency. Measuring dissolved oxygen prior to bottling
ensures a long shelf life and prevents spoilage. A new technique for
monitoring and stabilizing ppb oxygen measurements using optical sensors
increases operational uptime with minimal maintenance, improves
measurement accuracy, and enhances speed of response. Product safety and
cost savings can be achieved through the use of pH sensors to monitor
caustic cleaning cycles. When cleaning piping with caustic, it is
imperative to ensure that all the cleaning solution is rinsed away
before filling the lines with beer. The use of in-line pH measurement
can determine precisely when all the caustic has been rinsed away,
saving time, reducing operational costs, and assuring product safety.
Having sensors in-line creates a need to maintain them to ensure
accurate and reliable measurements. With ever-decreasing operating
budgets, it is imperative that sensor installation be simple and that
maintenance be predictive. New intelligent “plug and measure” sensors
minimize calibration and setup time and offer sensor wear information
and alarms to alert maintenance crews to the need to change or maintain
sensors before they break down, thus preventing disruption in the
production flow.
John C. Morgan is a product manager for
Mettler Toledo North America and is responsible for its family of
process analytical instruments used to measure dissolved oxygen, pH,
conductivity, turbidity, and carbon dioxide. John received his B.S.
degree in chemical engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY.
VIEW PRESENTATION 93
